Cross Brings Hope to Victims in Sendai

(Sankei News 2011.4.22 14:35)

In Sendai’s Miyagino Ward, where destruction by the earthquake and tsunami was devastatingly total, the cross of the “Seaside Bible Chapel”, dug out from the ruins and rebuilt, is giving new hope to the people in the area.

The church building, located roughly 700 meters from the shoreline, was washed away by the tsunami and the wide area surrounding it reduced to piles of debris. But three days after the quake, members of the church and other volunteers dug the foundations of the cross out from under the rubble and reconstructed the cross on top of it.

With nothing but mud and rubble for as far as the eye could see in any direction, the first worship service after the quake was held around the cross by approximately 50 church members and volunteers from various parts of Japan, and prayers were offered for the Japanese people.  “We just wish to provide any hope we can to help the victims”, explains Pastor Tomohiro Naito, who himself lost his home to the tsunami. 

(Original Japanese Text)

東日本大震災の津波で壊滅的な被害を受けた仙台市宮城野区の「シーサイド・バイブル・チャペル」で、がれきの中から掘り出され、再建された十字架が被災者に希望を与えている。

海岸から約７００メートルの場所にあった教会は、津波で流され周囲はがれきの山と化した。だが、震災から３日後に信徒やボランティアががれきの中から十字架の土台部分を掘り起こし、失われた十字架本体を作り直したという。

見渡す限りのがれきの中で行われた礼拝には、全国からボランティアを含めておよそ５０人が参加し、震災で亡くなった人々に祈りをささげた。自身も被災して家を失った同教会の内藤智裕牧師は「少しでも被災した方々の希望になれば」と話している。

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/110422/art11042214370007-n1.htm

The Important Stories the Media Finds Boring

The media is primarily interested in the radiation levels in the Fukushima nuclear power plant.  Less and less is covered about the people struggling to live, and of some of the wonderful stories that happened on the ground.

One of these stories took place in Kesenuma, the city that was completely wiped out in the tsunami.  Amidst the destruction, one building that still stands.  It is a building that saved 1,000 lives and 500 vehicles ... and it wasn't a coincidence.  Here is its story by Wesley Cheek.

Japanese Prime Minister Thanks The World

Japan PM Naoto Kan has thanked the international community for its assistance and encouragement on several of the world's leading newspapers.  This one is from the Wallstreet Journal Europe.  

Thank you for the Kizuna.

My country suffered an unprecedented heavy earthquake a month ago. Numerous people lost their lives, and more than 150,000 people have had to take refuge.

In the regions that were hit by the tsunami after the earthquake, there was no water, no electricity, no food, and even contact with the outside world had been cut off. At that time, overseas assistances gave us strength to go forward.

A bowl of hot soup and a blanket warmed bodies and minds in cold. Rescue teams struggled to comb through the rubble to save survivors, and medical teams selflessly provided treatment to those people who were physically and emotionally injured.

Even today, we are still receiving encouragement and wishes from around the world. The Kizuna given by friends all over the world greatly inspire us. I would like to say a sincere "thank you" to the countries, regions and all the rest of you who have given us all-out support.

Reconstruction work has kicked off. We are trying our best to stabilize Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. 

Relying on the Japanese people's potential and international community's assistance, Japan will be able to undergo rebirth, revival and achieve even greater prosperity. At that time, we will repay all corners of the world for your kindness.

For the day is coming when we will unite as one to join the reconstruction and turn our deep gratitude toward our friends into hope. Thank you once again. 

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed.

Broadband Now Available in 171 Evacuation Facilities

Dear Readers,

As of today, 171 of the evacuation facilities in Japan have broadband internet access. Please remember that your voice is important. If you leave your comments on “Voices From Japan”, they can be translated into Japanese for Japanese readers.  This could be invaluable especially if the reader happens to be from one of these evacuation facilities.

Thank you

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Yahoo Headlines. 3.31.2011 (Translated by Jun Shiomitsu)

Internet connectivity is up again in many of the evacuation facilities in Japan.  News agencies, radio stations, TV broadcasting stations, and “Information volunteers” have been posting a lot of helpful information on the net, and now, this information can be linked with the data being offered by the evacuees themselves to allow increased organization and efficiency for the ongoing aid effort.  The government is also active in continuing the push to increase connectivity in these areas.

As of March 30^th yesterday, with the cooperation of NTT East Japan and multiple major electronics and computer brands, 171 evacuation facilities in and around Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures have installed PCs with broadband connectivity, with close to half of them featuring Wifi. 

Minichi Shimbun (one of top three news agencies) and the mass media have been uploading information useful to the evacuees.  However, what stands out this time is that individuals or groups, calling themselves “Information Volunteers”, have used Twitter and other social media platforms to offer accurate information regarding traffic, infrastructure, or even public baths and various other tips useful to evacuees. 

(Original Japanese Text)

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20110331-00000028-mai-soci　

東日本大震災の避難所で、インターネット接続環境の整備が始まった。新聞やラジオ、テレビなどに加え日本全国の「情報ボランティア」らが、被災者支援のための情報をネットで発信しており、被災者発の情報とリンクすることで、よりきめこまやかな被災地支援が可能になる。今後、行政などを交えての一層の整備拡大が求められている。

　ＮＴＴ東日本は、電機メーカー、パソコン機器メーカーらの協力のもと、３０日現在、宮城県や福島県、岩手県などの１７１カ所の避難所に、ブロードバンド回線とパソコンを設置。無料の「インターネット接続コーナー」を整備し始めた。無線ＬＡＮ接続のできるコーナーもそれらの半数近くにある。今後、「できるところから」順次設置箇所を拡大させていく方針という。

　被災地に向けては、毎日新聞などマスメディアが生活情報の発信を続けているが、個人や団体による「情報ボランティア」も、ツイッターやサイトなどで、交通やインフラ、入浴可能な銭湯など、さまざまな情報を流している。【高橋望】

Voices From Japan is Growing

Dear Readers,

I am grateful to be able to announce our 500^th Facebook “Like” today. Additionally, the fact that our Google search ranking has advanced from 35^th last week to 3^rd this week is a testimony of your readership and concern.

I would be thankful if you would continue to recommend Voices From Japan to your friends by posting it on your Facebook wall or sending them the link <http://voicesfromjapan.blogspot.com/>.  


May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with Japan in its hour of need.  

Thank you.

Jun Shiomitsu

9 Year Old Boy Teaches Self-Sacrifice

This letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai Daily condensed it.

Brother,

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies. 

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.

We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. 

They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away. 

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"

The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed. 

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry. 

A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people. 

Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.

Ha Minh Thanh


(Original Text on Shanghai Daily)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=467066&type=Opinion  

Day after the Quake, Life as Usual

Woo Wee Min from Singapore was visiting his girlfriend in Shizuoka, when the earthquake hit.  He tells about his admiration of what he saw the next day:

"The day after the quake, life went on as usual in the area where I lived, which escaped disaster. Residents could have chosen to stay indoors and be afraid, but instead they were out and about, calmly stocking up on essentials such as water and rice, and patronising the local pachinko parlour, supermarket, restaurants and cafes as if it were a routine weekend.

People chose to continue with life rather than be afraid, despite the unstated collective sense that more disaster might strike at any time."

Read the full story in Singapore Straits Times

(Link provided by FB Group member Joan Lim)

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_645118.html

Saving Wife & Mother Through 10 ft Waters

Akaiwa said he was at work a few miles away when the tsunami hit, and he rushed back to find his neighborhood inundated with up to 10 feet of water. Not willing to wait until the government or any international organization did, or did not, arrive to rescue his wife of two decades — whom he had met while they were surfing in a local bay — Akaiwa got hold of some scuba gear. He then hit the water, wended his way through the debris and underwater hazards and managed to reach his house, from which he dragged his wife to safety.

"The water felt very cold, dark and scary," he recalled. "I had to swim about 200 yards to her, which was quite difficult with all the floating wreckage."

With his mother still unaccounted for several days later, Akaiwa stewed with frustration as he watched the water recede by only a foot or two. He repeatedly searched for her at City Hall and nearby evacuation centers.

Finally, on Tuesday, he waded through neck-deep water, searching the neighborhood where she'd last been seen. He found her, he said, on the second floor of a flooded house where she'd been waiting for help for four days.

"She was very much panicked because she was trapped with all this water around," Akaiwa said. "I didn't know where she was. It was such a relief to find her."

(link provided by FB Group member Mathurot Chuladul)

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/17/world/la-fg-japan-quake-scuba-20110317

Japanese Spirit in Cambridge

I'm proud that all my fellow Japanese MBA classmates declined to request the MBA office for any special consideration, and is resolute to face the final exams today like everybody else. I'm privileged to be counted among you. So here we go, let's go show'em all some Japanese resilience in Cambridge too! Go Japan!


(by Jun Shiomitsu)